Haymarket's Big Birthday Bash

This summer Leicester’s original shopping centre Haymarket is celebrating 50 years at the heart of the city.

The shopping centre opened on June 4 1973 as one of the first covered shopping malls in the country.

Haymarket will celebrate its landmark birthday with a free community-focused event on Friday 2 June. Shoppers are invited to come along and join in with the birthday fun.

The star of the day will be Albert the giant elephant, who will bring a jumbo amount of excitement. And children can pick up a tip or two on circus tricks from a Ringmaster as he roams around Haymarket. Elton Wrong will be there too, singing his greatest hits.

Shoppers who share Haymarket’s 4th June birthday – in any year – will be invited to register for a competition via social media for the chance to be a VIP guest at the party. Family and friends can also nominate people born on any 4th June.

The shopping centre is also asking shoppers or people who used to work in Haymarket’s shops to come forward with any memories of Haymarket over the decades, particularly from back in the 1970s.

Joining in the celebrations will be Haymarket’s chosen charity Rainbows Children’s Hospice and Leicester City Council officials.